Start Small, Dream Big grants on offer to celebrate 20th anniversary of Kitchen Gardens

The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation is celebrating its 20th anniversary in conjunction with its community partner Coles, offering 20 early childhood services or schools a Start Small, Dream Big grant.

Starting small and dreaming big is at the heart of The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program, which is suitable for early childhood settings and schools of all sizes and capabilities.

Through the program children can experience the joys of growing, harvesting, preparing, and sharing food—even if they’re just starting out with a few potted herbs and a portable kitchen trolley.

Successful applicants will receive $1500 to spend on setting up or expanding cooking and gardening facilities. This might include purchasing garden beds, adding a compost tumbler, upgrading cooking facilities or stocking up the pantry.

The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program has direct links with the approved learning frameworks and the Australian curriculum and teaches children and young people how to grow, harvest, prepare, and share fresh and delicious food. 

97 per cent of teachers agree that the program is engaging for students and aids learning across other subject areas.

If you have ever wanted a Kitchen Garden Program at your service, the Start Small, Dream Big grants are the ideal way to get started.

Each Start Small, Dream Big grant recipient will receive a two-year membership to the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program (valued at over $1,000). Membership includes:

• Access to over 1000 recipes and curriculum-linked learning resources on our online resource and community hub, the Shared Table. Take a sneak peek and download a sample pack.
• A printed resource pack of workbooks and guides to get you started.
• A class set of aprons.
• 4x spots in professional development webinars.
• Access to one-on-one online catch ups with our experienced Support Team.
• Access to face-to-face professional development, right around the country.

To apply, services need to complete a short online application form, giving more information about how this grant would help to ‘start small’ in the kitchen or garden. The Foundation would also love to hear what ‘big dreams’ you have for your Kitchen Garden Program.

Applications for the grant close on Friday 7 June.

Any questions about the grants or the Kitchen Garden Program can be addressed by contacting the Support Team via email to [email protected] or by phoning 1300 072 543.